Just in case you have not yet done so, please check this link to sign up for this Genuine Anti-Dynasty petition: https://d1l.org/
Why does a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law matter?
This helpful explanation posted by Cebu Archbishop Abet Uy:
“Imagine a town where the mayor is the father, the vice mayor is the wife, a son is the congressman, a daughter sits on the provincial board, and another relative is already being prepared to run in the next election. They may all be good people. The problem is not simply that they are related. The problem begins when political power becomes concentrated in one family for many years. When the same families control government positions, several problems arise.
“First, other qualified people may find it very difficult to enter public service. Elections become less about choosing among capable leaders and more about choosing among established families with money, machinery, name recall, and influence.
“Second, checks and balances can become weaker. If relatives occupy several important positions, who will seriously question one another? Who will investigate wrongdoing? Democracy works better when public officials and the people can hold each other accountable.
“Third, public service can begin to look like an inheritance. A government position is not family property to be passed from parent to child, spouse to spouse, or sibling to sibling. Public office belongs to the people.
“Fourth, political dynasties can make it harder for voters to have real choices. Elections should allow new leaders, new ideas, and competent citizens to participate—not only those who already have powerful surnames.
“This is why the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself says that, "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."
“The difficulty is that Congress still has to enact the law that clearly defines and implements that constitutional principle, which has not happened for the past 39 years. A long-overdue responsibility of guaranteeing equal access to public service, yet no version of a bill has been successfully reviewed and passed since then.
“An Anti-Political Dynasty Law does not mean that the child or relative of a politician is automatically a bad person or incapable of serving.
“The issue is concentration of political power, not blood relationship by itself. A fair law should define reasonable limits while respecting the people’s right to choose.
“Think of it this way: If a family owns a business, the successors are, by default, the children, and parents can pass it on to them.
“But government is NOT and SHOULD NOT be a family business. Government leadership should be an opportunity open to every qualified Filipino.”
“Why PIRMA NA TA SA “DAPAT ISA LANG” at https://d1l.org/ ?
“We recognize that not every political family is the same. Some have members with a good record of honest, faithful public service. They have served with competence/integrity/genuine concern for the common good. This should be acknowledged.
“At the same time, we cannot ignore the dangers when political power remains concentrated in one family or in a few families for generations.
“It can limit opportunities for new leaders, weaken accountability, encourage patronage, and make public office appear like a family inheritance rather than a public trust.
“For this reason, we support the enactment of an effective Anti-Dynasty Law—one that would prevent the excessive concentration of political power in one family.”
To sign the online petition, a digital tutorial has been prepared to guide you step by step on facebook (@DapatIsaLangMovement.
Sign up at d1l.org! Dapat isa lang: Practicing Responsible Citizenship
“Ang kasalukuyang hakbang ay bahagi lamang ng simula ng mas malaking layunin — ang makamit ang tunay na pagbabago sa pamamagitan ng People's Initiative.”
Be counted among those who signed up for a Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law!
BLURB: “The government is not and should not be a family business. Government leadership should be an opportunity open to every qualified Filipino.”